The Apple Jonathan: A 1980s Concept Computer That Never Shipped

Re:The Apple Jonathan: A 1980s Concept Computer That Never S... by ilaksh on Friday March 29, 2024 @01:45AM (#39861057)

Just because an idea wasn't implemented or didn't become popular doesn't mean it's not a good idea. I have always strongly felt that expansion cards in desktop computers should work more like this rather than requiring the case to come off.

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Re:The Apple Jonathan: A 1980s Concept Computer That Never S... by crispyambulance on Friday March 29, 2024 @08:27AM (#39863226)

Yeah, it has DEFINITELY worked in other contexts.

NIM modules and CAMAC modules have been popular instrumentation platforms for experimental physics since the 70's and 80's. Of course that's very far from consumer adoption but the concept kinda works. No idea if NIM modules are still in production though!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_Instrumentation_Module

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Re:The Apple Jonathan: A 1980s Concept Computer That Never S... by timw4mail on Friday March 29, 2024 @09:51AM (#39864110)

IBM had at least two computers that used this concept: The PCJr, and the IBM Convertible "laptop".

One of the many problems with sidecars is that they make the computer footprint larger. While it hypothetically allows for unlimited expansion compared to a limited number of internal slots, this would be practically limited by physical space and electrical signaling issues.

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Re:The Apple Jonathan: A 1980s Concept Computer That Never S... by eloisant on Friday March 29, 2024 @12:52PM (#39866247)

I'm not sure, I'd rather open the case the rare times I need to add an expansion card than have the whole thing take more space.

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Re:The Apple Jonathan: A 1980s Concept Computer That Never S... by jasaldivara on Friday March 29, 2024 @04:07PM (#39868451)

Well, if you don't populate all expansion slots, it takes more space than it needs.

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